Downstream node setup

ABSTRACT

Per-port performance optimization may be provided. First, performance data may be received corresponding to each of a plurality of ports. Then it may be determined that performance of at least one of the plurality of ports can be improved based on the received performance data corresponding to the least one of the plurality of ports. Next, in response to determining that the performance of the at least one of the plurality of ports can be improved, at least one of a plurality of components may be adjusted corresponding to the at least one of the plurality of ports to improve performance of the least one of the plurality of ports.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/249,342 entitled “Downstream Node Setup” filed Jan. 16, 2019, whichwill issue as U.S. Pat. No. 10,594,399 on Mar. 17, 2020, which is aDivision of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/587,449 entitled“Downstream Node Setup” filed May 5, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,187,149,all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to downstream node setup.

BACKGROUND

A Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial (HFC) network is a broadband network thatcombines optical fiber and coaxial cable. It has been commonly employedglobally by cable television operators. In a hybrid fiber-coaxial cablenetwork, television channels are sent from a cable system's distributionfacility to local communities through optical fiber trunk lines. At thelocal community, a box translates the signal from a light beam toelectrical signal, and sends it over cable lines for distribution tosubscriber residences. The optical fiber trunk lines provide adequatebandwidth to allow future expansion and new bandwidth-intensiveservices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a node;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for providing input level alignment;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for providing per-port performanceoptimization;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method for providing thermal compensation;and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a computing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

Per-port performance optimization may be provided. First, performancedata may be received corresponding to each of a plurality of ports. Thenit may be determined that performance of at least one of the pluralityof ports can be improved based on the received performance datacorresponding to the least one of the plurality of ports. Next, inresponse to determining that the performance of the at least one of theplurality of ports can be improved, at least one of a plurality ofcomponents may be adjusted corresponding to the at least one of theplurality of ports to improve performance of the least one of theplurality of ports.

Both the foregoing overview and the following example embodiments areexamples and explanatory only, and should not be considered to restrictthe disclosure's scope, as described and claimed. Furthermore, featuresand/or variations may be provided in addition to those described. Forexample, embodiments of the disclosure may be directed to variousfeature combinations and sub-combinations described in the exampleembodiments.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawingsand the following description to refer to the same or similar elements.While embodiments of the disclosure may be described, modifications,adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example,substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elementsillustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may bemodified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosedmethods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limitthe disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosure is definedby the appended claims.

Multiple-system operators (MSOs) are operators of multiple cable ordirect-broadcast satellite television systems. Fiber deep (FD) is atrend in which MSOs push fiber ever closer to customers to provide themwith better service. As opposed to an amplifier, a Hybrid Fiber Coaxial(HFC) node may receive signals from a headend via fiber optic cablerather than via coaxial cable for example. In order to provide FD, manyHFC nodes may be deployed onto an FD network. Having an auto setupcapability when deploying these nodes may help with deployment in acost-effective and timely manner.

Consistent with embodiments of the disclosure, auto setup may comprise,but is not limited to, input level alignment, per-port performanceoptimization, per-port power savings, and thermal compensation. Inputlevel alignment may comprise, within a node, getting a constant inputlevel to a forward launch amplifier over the scenarios of an analogreceiver (e.g., analog Rx) installed only, a remote physical layercircuit (e.g., remote PHY) installed only, and an overlay scenario inwhich with both the analog receiver and the remote physical layercircuit are installed. Per-port performance optimization may capturechannel performance data in terms of the levels of each channel that maybe used, for example, for calculating tilt and composite power for theoutput level and tilt setup and the power saving usages on a per-portbasis for a node. Thermal Compensation may detect the temperature insidea node, query a lookup table for a thermal compensation (e.g., LUT_TC)and then use an electronically controlled attenuator and equalizer toget a relevantly constant output level over the temperature changes.These temperature changes can be annual or diurnal for example.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system 100. As shown inFIG. 1, communication system 100 may comprise a headend 105, a node 110,a plurality of customer premises equipment 115, a plurality of headendcommunication lines 120, and a plurality of node communication lines125. Headend 105 may comprise, but is not limited to, a cable televisionheadend that may comprise a master facility for receiving televisionsignals for processing and distribution over a cable television system.Node 110 may receive downstream signals from headend 105 via fiber opticcable (e.g., headend communication lines 120) rather than via coaxialcable for example.

Plurality of customer premises equipment 115 may comprise, for example,any terminal and associated equipment located at a subscriber's premisesand connected with a carrier's telecommunication channel at ademarcation point. Plurality of customer premises equipment 115 maycomprise a first customer premises equipment 130, a second customerpremises equipment 135, a third customer premises equipment 140, and afourth customer premises equipment 145. Ones of plurality of customerpremises equipment 115, may comprise, but are not limited to, a cellularbase station, a tablet device, a mobile device, a smart phone, atelephone, a remote control device, a set-top box, a digital videorecorder, a cable modem, a personal computer, a network computer, amainframe, a router, or other similar microcomputer-based device.

Plurality of headend communication lines 120 may comprise a firstheadend communication line 150 and a second headend communication line155. Headend communication lines 120 may comprise optical fibers.Plurality of node communication lines 125 may comprise a first nodecommunication line 160, a second node communication line 165, a thirdnode communication line 170, and a fourth node communication line 175.Plurality of node communication lines 125 may comprise coaxial cables ofvarying lengths. While FIG. 1 shows each one of plurality of nodecommunication lines 125 as serving one customer premises equipment, eachone of plurality of node communication lines 125 may serve many customerpremises equipment locations and is not limited to one.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of node 110. As shown in FIG. 2, node 110 maycomprise an optical interface board 202 and a forward launch amplifier204. Optical interface board 202 may comprise an analog receiver 206, aremote physical layer circuit 208, and a control unit 210. Analogreceiver 206 may feed an analog receiver voltage variable attenuator 212and remote physical layer circuit 208 may feed a remote physical layercircuit voltage variable attenuator 214. Analog receiver voltagevariable attenuator 212 and remote physical layer circuit voltagevariable attenuator 214 may be used to control the level (e.g.,amplitude) of their respective input signals. Analog receiver voltagevariable attenuator 212 and remote physical layer circuit voltagevariable attenuator 214 may be controlled by control unit 210. Controlunit 210 may comprise a computing device as described in more detailbelow with respect to FIG. 6. While FIG. 2 shows control unit 210 asbeing disposed in node 110, in other embodiments, control unit 210 maylocated remote from node 110, for example, on the Cloud. Furthermore,when located at node 110, control unit 210 may be located in opticalinterface board 202 or in forward launch amplifier 204.

First headend communication line 150 may provide analog receiver 206with an analog optical signal from headend 105. Analog receiver 206 mayconvert the received analog optical signal to an electrical signal andthen feed this electrical signal to analog receiver voltage variableattenuator 212. Second headend communication line 155 may provide remotephysical layer circuit 208 with a digital optical signal from headend105. Remote physical layer circuit 208 may convert the received digitaloptical signal into an analog electrical signal and feed this signal toremote physical layer circuit voltage variable attenuator 214.

Embodiments of the disclosure shown in FIG. 2 may be considered anoverlay of an analog receiver and a remote physical layer circuit. Otherembodiments may be similar to the embodiments shown in FIG. 2, butwithout remote physical layer circuit 208 (i.e., analog RX only). Also,other embodiments of the disclosure may be similar to the embodimentsshown in FIG. 2, but without analog receiver 206 (i.e., remote PHYonly).

Forward launch amplifier 204 may comprise a first switch 216, a secondswitch 218, a combiner 220, a preamplifier 222, a fixed equalizer 224,an interstage device 226, a splitter 228, and a plurality of branches230. When closed, first switch 216 may provide combiner 220 with thesignal from analog receiver voltage variable attenuator 212. Similarly,when closed, second switch 218 may provide combiner 220 with the signalfrom remote physical layer circuit voltage variable attenuator 214.

Combiner 220 may combine any received signals from first switch 216 andsecond switch 218 and then feed this combined signal in to preamplifier222. Fixed equalizer 224 may receive the signal from preamplifier 222,suppress the amplitude of lower frequencies, and fed the signal tointerstage device 226. Interstage device 226 may add “gain” (e.g., asmuch as 20 dB) to the signal and pass the signal onto splitter 228.Plurality of node communication lines 125 may comprise coaxial cablesthat may attenuate higher frequencies. Interstage device 226 may add“gain” to the signal in order to provide a substantially equal gainacross all frequencies. Fixed equalizer 224 may add “tilt” to compensatefor the attenuation that may be caused by plurality of nodecommunication lines 125 (e.g., coaxial cables).

Splitter 228 that may pass the signal onto plurality of branches 230.Plurality of branches 230 may comprise a first branch 232, a secondbranch 234, a third branch 236, and a fourth branch 238. While FIG. 2shows plurality of branches 230 comprising four branches, embodiments ofthe disclosure are not limited to four and may comprise any number ofbranches.

First branch 232 may comprise a first branch voltage variable equalizer240, a first branch voltage variable attenuator 242, a first branchoutput device 244, a first branch directional coupler 246, and a firstport 248. Under the control of control unit 210, first branch voltagevariable equalizer 240 may adjust the tilt of the signal on first branch232. Similarly, under the control of control unit 210, first branchvoltage variable attenuator 242 may adjust the level (e.g., amplitude)of the signal on first branch 232 across all frequencies. First branchoutput device 244 may amplify the signal from first branch 232 as itcomes out of first branch voltage variable attenuator 242 on its way tofirst port 248.

Control unit 210 may control first branch voltage variable equalizer 240and first branch voltage variable attenuator 242 based on feedback fromfirst branch directional coupler 246. First branch directional coupler246 may provide control unit 210 with a sample of the signal from firstbranch 232 that is output to first port 248. The signal from firstoutput on port 248 may be carried by first node communication line 160to first customer premises equipment 130. A sample of the signalprovided at first customer premises equipment 130 may be provided tocontrol unit 210 that may control first branch voltage variableequalizer 240 and first branch voltage variable attenuator 242 based onthe feedback provided from first customer premises equipment 130.

Second branch 234 may comprise a second branch voltage variableequalizer 250, a second branch voltage variable attenuator 252, a secondbranch output device 254, a second branch directional coupler 256, and asecond port 258. Under the control of control unit 210, second branchvoltage variable equalizer 250 may adjust the tilt of the signal onsecond branch 234. Similarly, under the control of control unit 210,second branch voltage variable attenuator 252 may adjust the level(e.g., amplitude) of the signal on second branch 234 across allfrequencies. Second branch output device 254 may amplify the signal fromsecond branch 234 as it comes out of second branch voltage variableattenuator 252 on its way to second port 258.

Control unit 210 may control second branch voltage variable equalizer250 and second branch voltage variable attenuator 252 based on feedbackfrom second branch directional coupler 256. Second branch directionalcoupler 256 may provide control unit 210 with a sample of the signalfrom second branch 234 that is output to second port 258. The signalfrom second output on port 258 may be carried by second nodecommunication line 165 to second customer premises equipment 135. Asample of the signal provided at second customer premises equipment 135may be provided to control unit 210 that may control second branchvoltage variable equalizer 250 and second branch voltage variableattenuator 252 based on the feedback provided from second customerpremises equipment 135.

Third branch 236 may comprise a third branch voltage variable equalizer260, a third branch voltage variable attenuator 262, a third branchoutput device 264, a third branch directional coupler 266, and a thirdport 268. Under the control of control unit 210, third branch voltagevariable equalizer 260 may adjust the tilt of the signal on third branch236. Similarly, under the control of control unit 210, third branchvoltage variable attenuator 262 may adjust the level (e.g., amplitude)of the signal on third branch 236 across all frequencies. Third branchoutput device 264 may amplify the signal from third branch 236 as itcomes out of third branch voltage variable attenuator 262 on its way tothird port 268.

Control unit 210 may control third branch voltage variable equalizer 260and third branch voltage variable attenuator 262 based on feedback fromthird branch directional coupler 266. Third branch directional coupler266 may provide control unit 210 with a sample of the signal from thirdbranch 236 that is output to third port 268. The signal from thirdoutput on port 268 may be carried by third node communication line 170to third customer premises equipment 140. A sample of the signalprovided at third customer premises equipment 140 may be provided tocontrol unit 210 that may control third branch voltage variableequalizer 260 and third branch voltage variable attenuator 262 based onthe feedback provided from third customer premises equipment 140.

Fourth branch 238 may comprise a fourth branch voltage variableequalizer 270, a fourth branch voltage variable attenuator 272, a fourthbranch output device 274, a fourth branch directional coupler 276, and afourth port 278. Under the control of control unit 210, fourth branchvoltage variable equalizer 270 may adjust the tilt of the signal onfourth branch 238. Similarly, under the control of control unit 210,fourth branch voltage variable attenuator 272 may adjust the level(e.g., amplitude) of the signal on fourth branch 238 across allfrequencies. Fourth branch output device 274 may amplify the signal fromfourth branch 238 as it comes out of fourth branch voltage variableattenuator 272 on its way to fourth port 278.

Control unit 210 may control fourth branch voltage variable equalizer270 and fourth branch voltage variable attenuator 272 based on feedbackfrom fourth branch directional coupler 276. Fourth branch directionalcoupler 276 may provide control unit 210 with a sample of the signalfrom fourth branch 238 that is output to fourth port 278. The signalfrom fourth output on port 278 may be carried by fourth nodecommunication line 175 to fourth customer premises equipment 145. Asample of the signal provided at fourth customer premises equipment 145may be provided to control unit 210 that may control fourth branchvoltage variable equalizer 270 and fourth branch voltage variableattenuator 272 based on the feedback provided from fourth customerpremises equipment 145.

Collectively, first port 248, second port 258, third port 268, andfourth port 278 may comprise the plurality of ports. Furthermore, node110 may comprise a temperature transducer 280 that my provide controlunit 210 with the ambient temperature inside node 110.

Embodiments of the disclosure may include measurement devicescomprising, but not limited to, an electronic spectrum measurementdevice. The electronic spectrum measurement device may pick up themonitoring signals from first branch directional coupler 246, secondbranch directional coupler 256, third branch directional coupler 266,and fourth branch directional coupler 276. The electronic spectrummeasurement device may perform a spectrum capture and provide it tocontrol unit 210. Consistent with embodiments of the disclosure, thefunctionality of electronic spectrum measurement device may beincorporated into control unit 210. Similarly, measurement devices forobtaining modulation error ratio (MER) and/or bit error rate (BER)measurements may be included in embodiments of the disclosure. Thesemeasurements may be provided to control unit 210. Measurement devicesfor obtaining MER and BER measurements may be incorporated into controlunit 210 as well. Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosure may controlRF (levels and tilts) and power dissipation (amplifier biasing andlinearity) of HFC nodes based on internally located test functionalityand customer premise monitoring capability.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart setting forth the general stages involved in amethod 300 consistent with embodiments of the disclosure for providinginput level alignment. Method 300 may be implemented using node 110 asdescribed in more detail above with respect to FIG. 2. Ways to implementthe stages of method 300 will be described in greater detail below.

Method 300 may begin at starting block 305 and proceed to stage 310where node 110 may provide a first signal to the plurality of ports. Forexample, first headend communication line 150 may provide analogreceiver 206 with an analog optical signal from headend 105. Analogreceiver 206 may convert the received analog optical signal to anelectrical signal and then feed this electrical signal to analogreceiver voltage variable attenuator 212. With first switch 216 in theclosed position, this first signal may be distributed to plurality ofbranches 230 via splitter 228 and be provided to the plurality of ports(e.g., first port 248, second port 258, third port 268, and fourth port278).

From stage 310, where node 110 provides the first signal to theplurality of ports, method 300 may advance to stage 320 where controlunit 210 may obtain a first measurement of an output at a first one ofthe plurality of ports. For example, first branch directional coupler246 (or any of the branch directional couplers) may sample the outputand send this sample to control unit 210. In this way, control unit 210may be provided with a level value of the first signal.

Once control unit 210 obtains the first measurement of the output at thefirst one of the plurality of ports in stage 320, method 300 maycontinue to stage 330 where control unit 210 may adjust a firstcomponent to get the first signal to a predetermined level at theplurality of ports based on the obtained first measurement. For example,control unit 210 may send a control signal to analog receiver voltagevariable attenuator 212 to adjust the signal measured at first branchdirectional coupler 246 to the predetermined level.

After control unit 210 adjusts the first component to get the firstsignal to the predetermined level at the plurality of ports based on theobtained first measurement in stage 330, method 300 may proceed to stage340 where node 110 may combine a second signal with the first signal.For example, second headend communication line 155 may provide remotephysical layer circuit 208 with a digital optical signal from headend105. Remote physical layer circuit 208 may convert the received digitaloptical signal into an analog electrical signal and the feed this signalto remote physical layer circuit voltage variable attenuator 214. Withsecond switch 218 in the closed position, this second signal may becombined with the first signal at combiner 220 and distributed toplurality of branches 230 via splitter 228 and provided to the pluralityof ports (e.g., first port 248, second port 258, third port 268, andfourth port 278).

Once node 110 combines the second signal with the first signal in stage340, method 300 may continue to stage 350 where node 110 may obtain asecond measurement of the output at the first one of the plurality ofports. For example, first branch directional coupler 246 (or any of thebranch directional couplers) may sample the output and send this sampleto control unit 210. In this way, control unit 210 may be provided witha level value of the second signal.

After node 110 obtains the second measurement of the output at the firstone of the plurality of ports in stage 350, method 300 may proceed tostage 360 where control unit 210 may adjust a second component to getthe second signal to the predetermined level at the plurality of portsbased on the obtained second measurement. For example, control unit 210may send a control signal to remote physical layer circuit voltagevariable attenuator 214 to adjust the signal measured at first branchdirectional coupler 246 to the predetermined level. In this way, theoutput from analog receiver 206 and remote physical layer circuit 208may be adjusted to the same level at the plurality of ports. Oncecontrol unit 210 adjusts the second component to get the second signalto the predetermined level at the plurality of ports based on theobtained second measurement in stage 360, method 300 may then end atstage 370.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart setting forth the general stages involved in amethod 400 consistent with embodiments of the disclosure for providingper-port performance optimization. Method 400 may be implemented usingnode 110 as described in more detail above with respect to FIG. 2. Waysto implement the stages of method 400 will be described in greaterdetail below.

Method 400 may begin at starting block 405 and proceed to stage 410where control unit 210 may receive performance data corresponding toeach of the plurality of ports. For example, the performance data maycomprise, but is not limited to, modulation error ratio (MER) and/or biterror rate (BER). For each of the plurality of ports, the performancedata may be respectively obtained from first branch directional coupler246, second branch directional coupler 256, third branch directionalcoupler 266, and fourth branch directional coupler 276 for example.Furthermore, for each of the plurality of ports, the performance datamay be respectively obtained from first customer premises equipment 130,second customer premises equipment 135, third customer premisesequipment 140, and fourth customer premises equipment 145. Because eachof the plurality of node communication lines 125 may vary in length, theperformance data for each of the each of the plurality of ports may bedifferent.

From stage 410, where control unit 210 receives the performance data,method 400 may advance to stage 420 where control unit 210 may determinethat the performance of at least one of the plurality of ports can beimproved based on the received performance data corresponding to the atleast one of the plurality of ports. For example, optimizing node outputtilt setting may be provided. Assume node 110, after power up, hasdefault values as output level=58 dBmV @ 1218 MHz and output tilt=22 dB(54-1218 MHz). The MER performance of the channels selected to measureat node 110's output (e.g. one of the plurality of ports) may have, forexample, certain high frequency channels that are operating above aperformance threshold, but the MER of the low frequency channels on thatsame output may be operating below a performance threshold. When nodecontrol unit 210 gets the MER data measured at both node output and CPE,it may determine that it is the tilt on the corresponding branch beingset too high that may be causing the poor MER performance for those lowband channels. Accordingly, control unit 210 may adjust the tilt, forexample, to 18 dB and reduce the level to 57.2 dBmV to get satisfactoryperformance across the entire band.

In another example, node output level setting may be optimized. Whencontrol unit 210 senses that the MER performance at node output, forexample, may be below a threshold while the serving CPEs may be gettinga relatively high input level, control unit 210 may determine that it isthe output power level that is set too high causing the unsatisfied nodeperformance. Accordingly control unit 210 may adjust down the powerlevel (e.g., by 1 dB) so that node 110's MER performance may beimproved.

In yet another example, assume node 110, after power up, has defaultvalues as output level=58 dBmV @ 1218 MHz and output tilt=22 dB (54-1218MHz). The MER performance for the channels selected to measure at nodeoutput and at CPE may both be above a predetermined threshold. However,the input levels of all CPE's may consistently appear high. With thatmargin in the input levels to serving CPE's, the power of node can bereduced by adjusting to a lower bias current for the output gain-block.When the input level to the serving CPEs gets reduced due to thetemperature variation in the cable (i.e. node communication line),control unit 210 may adjust output levels back to get a relativelyconsistent input level to the serving CPEs.

Once control unit 210 determines that the performance of the at leastone of the plurality of ports can be improved based on the receivedperformance data corresponding to the at least one of the plurality ofports in stage 420, method 400 may continue to stage 430 where controlunit 210 may adjust, in response to determining that the performance ofthe at least one of the plurality of ports can be improved, at least oneof a plurality of components corresponding to the at least one of theplurality of ports to improve performance of the at least one of theplurality of ports. For example, control unit 210 may adjust the atleast one of a plurality of components comprising, for example, voltagevariable equalizers and voltage variable attenuator in each of theplurality of branches 230 to effect a desired performance change on eachof the corresponding plurality of ports. Once node 110 adjusts the atleast one of a plurality of components in stage 430, method 400 may thenend at stage 440.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart setting forth the general stages involved in amethod 500 consistent with embodiments of the disclosure for providingthermal compensation. Method 500 may be implemented using node 110 asdescribed in more detail above with respect to FIG. 2. Ways to implementthe stages of method 500 will be described in greater detail below.

Method 500 may begin at starting block 505 and proceed to stage 510where control unit 210 may obtain an ambient temperature inside node110. For example, temperature transducer 280 may periodically measurethe ambient temperature inside node 110 and periodically transmit themeasured temperature to control unit 210.

From stage 510, where control unit 210 obtains the ambient temperatureof node 110, method 500 may advance to stage 520 where control unit 210may determine a level adjustment value and a tilt adjustment value basedon the obtained ambient temperature. For example, control unit 210 maysend an inquiry to a lookup table to obtain a thermal compensation(e.g., LUT_TC) comprising the level adjustment value and the tiltadjustment value based on the obtained ambient temperature.

Once control unit 210 determines the level adjustment value and the tiltadjustment value based on the obtained ambient temperature in stage 520,method 500 may continue to stage 530 where control unit 210 may adjust afirst component based on the determined level adjustment value. Forexample, adjusting the first component may comprise adjusting analogreceiver voltage variable attenuator 212 and/or remote physical layercircuit voltage variable attenuator 214 to get a relatively constantoutput level over the temperature changes in node 110. Furthermore,first branch voltage variable attenuator 242, second branch voltagevariable attenuator 252, third branch voltage variable attenuator 262,and fourth branch voltage variable attenuator 272 may be adjusted forfine adjustments to each of plurality of branches 230 respectively. Inthis way thermal variations in level (e.g., amplitude) may becompensated for according to data from the lookup table.

After control unit 210 adjusts the first component based on thedetermined level adjustment value in stage 530, method 500 may proceedto stage 540 where control unit 210 may adjust a second component basedon the determined tilt adjustment value. For example, the secondcomponent may comprise any one or more of first branch voltage variableequalizer 240, second branch voltage variable equalizer 250, thirdbranch voltage variable equalizer 260, and fourth branch voltagevariable equalizer 270. In this way thermal variations in tilt may becompensated for according to data from the lookup table. Once controlunit 210 adjusts the second component based on the determined tiltadjustment value in stage 540, method 500 may then end at stage 550.Method 500 may be repeated periodically (e.g., hourly, daily, weekly,monthly, etc.) In this way, node 110 may be adjusted to compensate forannual or diurnal temperature changes for example.

FIG. 6 shows computing device 600. As shown in FIG. 6, computing device600 may include a processing unit 610 and a memory unit 615. Memory unit615 may include a software module 620 and a database 625. Database 625may comprise and/or include, but is not limited to, the lookup table.While executing on processing unit 610, software module 620 may perform,for example, processes for providing input level alignment, processesfor providing per-port performance optimization, and processes forproviding thermal compensation, including for example, any one or moreof the stages from method 300 described above with respect to FIG. 3,any one or more of the stages from method 400 described above withrespect to FIG. 4, or any one or more of the stages from method 500described above with respect to FIG. 5. Computing device 600, forexample, may provide an operating environment for control unit 210.Control unit 210 may operate in other environments and is not limited tocomputing device 600.

Computing device 600 may be implemented using a personal computer, anetwork computer, a mainframe, a router, or other similarmicrocomputer-based device. Computing device 600 may comprise anycomputer operating environment, such as hand-held devices,multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable senderelectronic devices, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like.Computing device 600 may also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices. Theaforementioned systems and devices are examples and computing device 600may comprise other systems or devices.

Embodiments of the disclosure, for example, may be implemented as acomputer process (method), a computing system, or as an article ofmanufacture, such as a computer program product or computer readablemedia. The computer program product may be a computer storage mediareadable by a computer system and encoding a computer program ofinstructions for executing a computer process. The computer programproduct may also be a propagated signal on a carrier readable by acomputing system and encoding a computer program of instructions forexecuting a computer process. Accordingly, the present disclosure may beembodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, residentsoftware, micro-code, etc.). In other words, embodiments of the presentdisclosure may take the form of a computer program product on acomputer-usable or computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-usable or computer-readable program code embodied in the mediumfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system. Acomputer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that cancontain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for useby or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice.

The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, for example butnot limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagationmedium. More specific computer-readable medium examples (anon-exhaustive list), the computer-readable medium may include thefollowing: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portablecomputer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory(ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flashmemory), an optical fiber, and a portable compact disc read-only memory(CD-ROM). Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable mediumcould even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program isprinted, as the program can be electronically captured, via, forinstance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled,interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary,and then stored in a computer memory.

While certain embodiments of the disclosure have been described, otherembodiments may exist. Furthermore, although embodiments of the presentdisclosure have been described as being associated with data stored inmemory and other storage mediums, data can also be stored on or readfrom other types of computer-readable media, such as secondary storagedevices, like hard disks, floppy disks, or a CD-ROM, a carrier wave fromthe Internet, or other forms of RAM or ROM. Moreover, the semantic dataconsistent with embodiments of the disclosure may be analyzed withoutbeing stored. In this case, in-line data mining techniques may be usedas data traffic passes through, for example, a caching server or networkrouter. Further, the disclosed methods' stages may be modified in anymanner, including by reordering stages and/or inserting or deletingstages, without departing from the disclosure.

Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in anelectrical circuit comprising discrete electronic elements, packaged orintegrated electronic chips containing logic gates, a circuit utilizinga microprocessor, or on a single chip containing electronic elements ormicroprocessors. Embodiments of the disclosure may also be practicedusing other technologies capable of performing logical operations suchas, for example, AND, OR, and NOT, including but not limited to,mechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies. In addition,embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced within a general purposecomputer or in any other circuits or systems.

Embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced via a system-on-a-chip(SOC) where each or many of the components illustrated in FIG. 2 may beintegrated onto a single integrated circuit. Such an SOC device mayinclude one or more processing units, graphics units, communicationsunits, system virtualization units and various application functionalityall of which may be integrated (or “burned”) onto the chip substrate asa single integrated circuit. When operating via an SOC, thefunctionality described herein with respect to embodiments of thedisclosure, may be performed via application-specific logic integratedwith other components of computing device 500 on the single integratedcircuit (chip).

Embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, are described abovewith reference to block diagrams and/or operational illustrations ofmethods, systems, and computer program products according to embodimentsof the disclosure. The functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur outof the order as shown in any flowchart. For example, two blocks shown insuccession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or theblocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending uponthe functionality/acts involved.

While the specification includes examples, the disclosure's scope isindicated by the following claims. Furthermore, while the specificationhas been described in language specific to structural features and/ormethodological acts, the claims are not limited to the features or actsdescribed above. Rather, the specific features and acts described aboveare disclosed as example for embodiments of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: obtaining an ambienttemperature of a node having an optical interface and a plurality ofports; determining a level adjustment value and a tilt adjustment valuebased on the obtained ambient temperature; adjusting a first componentbased on the determined level adjustment value, wherein adjusting thefirst component comprises adjusting an analog receiver voltage variableattenuator and a remote physical layer circuit voltage variableattenuator based on the determined level adjustment value; and adjustinga second component based on the determined tilt adjustment value,wherein adjusting the first component comprises adjusting a voltagevariable equalizer configured to affect only one of the plurality ofports based on the determined tilt adjustment value, and whereinadjusting the analog receiver voltage variable attenuator and the remotephysical layer circuit voltage variable attenuator based on thedetermined level adjustment value comprises adjusting the analogreceiver voltage variable attenuator and the remote physical layercircuit voltage variable attenuator to get a substantially constantoutput level over temperature change in the node.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein obtaining the ambient temperature of the node comprisesobtaining the ambient temperature from a temperature transducer disposedinside the node.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the leveladjustment value and the tilt adjustment value comprises determining thelevel adjustment value and the tilt adjustment value from a lookuptable.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the first componentfurther comprises adjusting at least one of a plurality of branchvoltage variable attenuators configured to affect at least two of theplurality of ports.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting thefirst component further comprises adjusting at least one of a pluralityof branch voltage variable attenuators configured to affect only one ofthe plurality of ports.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprisingrepeating the method periodically.
 7. A system comprising: a memorystorage; and a processing unit coupled to the memory storage, whereinthe processing unit is operative to: obtain an ambient temperature of anode having an optical interface and a plurality of ports; determine alevel adjustment value and a tilt adjustment value based on the obtainedambient temperature; adjust a first component based on the determinedlevel adjustment value, wherein the processing unit being operative toadjust the first component comprises the processing unit being operativeto adjust an analog receiver voltage variable attenuator and a remotephysical layer circuit voltage variable attenuator based on thedetermined level adjustment value; and adjust a second component basedon the determined tilt adjustment value, wherein the processing unitbeing operative to adjust the first component comprises the processingunit being operative to adjust a voltage variable equalizer configuredto affect only one of the plurality of ports based on the determinedtilt adjustment value, and wherein the processing unit being operativeto adjust the analog receiver voltage variable attenuator and the remotephysical layer circuit voltage variable attenuator based on thedetermined level adjustment value comprises the processing unit beingoperative to adjust the analog receiver voltage variable attenuator andthe remote physical layer circuit voltage variable attenuator to get asubstantially constant output level over temperature change in the node.8. The system of claim 7, wherein the processing unit being operative toobtain the ambient temperature of the node comprises the processing unitbeing operative to obtain the ambient temperature from a temperaturetransducer disposed inside the node.
 9. The system of claim 7, whereinthe processing unit being operative to determine the level adjustmentvalue and the tilt adjustment value comprises the processing unit beingoperative to determine the level adjustment value and the tiltadjustment value from a lookup table.
 10. The system of claim 7, whereinthe processing unit being operative to adjust the first componentcomprises the processing unit being operative to adjust the firstcomponent comprising a voltage variable attenuator configured to affectat least two of the plurality of ports.
 11. The system of claim 7,wherein the processing unit being operative to adjust the firstcomponent further comprises the processing unit being operative toadjust at least one of a plurality of branch voltage variableattenuators configured to affect only one of the plurality of ports. 12.A non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores a set ofinstructions which when executed perform a method, the method executedby the set of instructions comprising: obtaining an ambient temperatureof a node having an optical interface and a plurality of ports;determining a level adjustment value and a tilt adjustment value basedon the obtained ambient temperature; adjusting a first component basedon the determined level adjustment value, wherein adjusting the firstcomponent comprises adjusting an analog receiver voltage variableattenuator and a remote physical layer circuit voltage variableattenuator based on the determined level adjustment value; and adjustinga second component based on the determined tilt adjustment value,wherein adjusting the first component comprises adjusting a voltagevariable equalizer configured to affect only one of the plurality ofports based on the determined tilt adjustment value, and whereinadjusting the analog receiver voltage variable attenuator and the remotephysical layer circuit voltage variable attenuator based on thedetermined level adjustment value comprises adjusting the analogreceiver voltage variable attenuator and the remote physical layercircuit voltage variable attenuator to get a substantially constantoutput level over temperature change in the node.
 13. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein obtaining the ambienttemperature of the node comprises obtaining the ambient temperature froma temperature transducer disposed inside the node.
 14. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein determiningthe level adjustment value and the tilt adjustment value comprisesdetermining the level adjustment value and the tilt adjustment valuefrom a lookup table.
 15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 12, wherein adjusting the first component further comprisesadjusting at least one of a plurality of branch voltage variableattenuators configured to affect at least two of the plurality of ports.16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, whereinadjusting the second component comprises adjusting the second componentcomprising a voltage variable equalizer configured to affect only one ofthe plurality of ports.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readable mediumof claim 12, further comprising repeating the method periodically.